Risk (or Geek Life Lessons 102)

For some time now, Sam has been itching to learn how to play Risk. I'm not sure why, other than that he's seen it in the game closet and wanted to learn.

Yesterday, Stu acquiesced. Since then, they've been at it. I thought maybe simply listening to the directions would squelch Sam's interest, but no. Clearly not. Before bed last night, I caught Stu staring at the game board. "Strategizing against your own son, eh?" I asked.

"No. I'm trying to figure out how not to lose," he said.

"You should be proud."

"I am."

And as I type, Sam's down there winning. Welcome to the world of geek gaming, son. What's next? Catan?

Chuck Emergency!

We've enjoyed watching Chuck with the kids for the past couple of years. It's really the first "adult" show we've been able to watch together. Granted, there are some times we have to avert their eyes from the "kissy face" stuff, but most of the time it works out well.

It ends this week, with the last 2 hour episode on Friday night. I'd say I'm sad about it, but in a way I think the show's kind of lived its run. And they are wrapping it nicely, which is always better than getting pulled midseason.

Last Saturday, we decided to watch the episodes we had recorded (we were a couple of weeks behind) and noticed that we were missing Friday's episode. You know, the one immediately before the FINALE! Tragedy. Of course, being NBC, the episode is available no where-- not itunes, not on their own website, not even hulu. Panic! An episode we can't find!?! In this day and age!??

So after some questionable googling, I did find a site where we could stream it to see the show. Assuming we didn't also download some sort of nasty virus in the process, Kate and I have watched and are good to go for Friday. Sam and Stu were busy playing Risk, so they have some catch up to do.

Westerners

I guess we are starting to acclimate. Yesterday, when it was below 20 degrees in KC, my kids wore winter coats and flip flops after dark. I made them wear coats because it was cool, like 50.

And today on a conference call, the group (located in KC) were commenting on "West Coast" people who don't get in until 10 because of traffic and who never work after hours. I found myself thinking "10 for you is just 8 am for us!" Ha.

Here we go again...

Kate picked back up one of her old standby habits when we were back for Christmas-- nail biting. She's been stopped for more than a year, maybe two. But suddenly when we were back in KC, I noticed her biting again, almost immediately after we arrived. I can't figure out what started it, but it's in fine form. Last night she was bleeding from one finger and cried to me. I told her that if she's going to be a nail-biter, she has to toughen up because this can happen! She says she wants to stop, but hasn't been able to yet. I think I'm going to have to find the tube of yucky stuff.

Any suggestions from my successful parent-friends out there? I'm open...